It's not all doom and gloom. On a mission to spread a little sunshine into people's lives.

Friday, 22 January 2016

Best fish and chip shop in the UK crowned

Photo courtesy of Simpsons

A Cheltenham fish
and chip shop has been named the best in the UK out of 10,000 rivals across the
country.

Simpsons Fish and
Chips has been named the best in the 2016 National Fish and Chip awards.

The family-run
business, which opened in 2009, won praise from the judges for pushing the
boundaries away from the stereotypical chippy. Innovations include holding a monthly
gluten-free frying day and publishing a children’s book to help young diners’
understand fish species and sourcing.

Simpsons scooped the
top title – independent takeaway fish and chip shop of the year – in the awards
organised by the trade body Seafish.

Bonny Ritchie, who
runs Simpsons with her husband, James, said: “After coming in second for this
award twice over the last few years, we really are over the moon to have
finally won – third time lucky.

“During the last year we’ve upped our game,
streamlining our marketing activities, expanding the shop to double the size of
our restaurant facilities, and launching our very own children’s book.”

In second place was
Kingfisher Fish & Chips, in Plymouth, Devon, which boasts the record for
the most sustainable seafood menu in the world – it has 12 MSC (Marine
Stewardship Council) seafood species on the menu. This won it the separate
“good catch” award for sustainable seafood.

The Cod’s Scallops
in Nottingham came in third. The judges were wowed by its impressive selection,
featuring many underused fish – herring, skate, gurnard, hake, and shellfish
including crab, lobster, oysters and whelks – all served with chips fried in
beef dripping or potato salad.